Thursday, December 19, 2013

Ledson Marsh

This is Ledson Marsh. On this day I thought I would hike around the entire marsh. There is a trail around 3/4's of it. The other one quarter I was really looking forward to.

Part way around I saw the marsh was all dried up. I shouldn't have been surprised considering the extreme drought-like conditions California is in. But hey, I'll make the most of it and explore what is usually unexplorable.

I came to the portion where the water runs through it and was concerned about sinking into deep mud. I was surprised to find it solid. Just beneath the surface the water was frozen solid. This was like being on the tundra of Canada and Alaska I thought.

Not all the water was frozen,

just along the edge,

which created an interesting effect. Incidentally it was a very pleasant warm day so I do not understand how this can remain frozen.

Eventually I had to follow some animal paths through the reeds and cattails in trying to get to the unexplored quarter I was seeking. Here I was thinking of Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn in the movie The African Queen.

I couldn't get through to the other side and dejectedly had to turn back. Now which way did I come? Well these guys helped guide me back to the trail side of the marsh. Once on the trail I noticed my pants just covered with little stickers. I don't know what I got into but it looked like a miniature porcupine had got me. I spent about 15 minutes pulling stickers from my pants and socks.

Next time I will attack the unexplored quarter from a different approach.

My, my, you were in the mood for an adventure. No water, so no leeches, Humphrey. But the stickers took their place. Hey, is that a bird in your last shot? Or is Sinbad out for a stroll? Can't quite tell.

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